Monday, May 9 2005 18:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jalandhar: Punjab Technical University (PTU) in collaboration with leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul is set to open a School of Excellence on manufacturing and material sciences at Kapurthala.

The Caparo Group of Companies chairman, the Punjab Government and PTU have all principally agreed to set up the School of Excellence (SE) and the project is expected to be signed next month when Lord Paul visits India, PTU vice-chancellor S K Salwan said in Jalandhar.

Lord Paul has already cleared payment of Rs 6 crore and assured collaboration of internationally renowned universities in the project.

"PTU has been running an SE for Total Quality Management (TQM) and entrepreneurship at Mohali for the past two years and now we have decided to open an SE on manufacturing and material sciences at Kapurthala near Science City," Salwan said.

The school would match international standards and Lord Paul, as Chancellor of two renowned universities Britain, would be bringing a top-of-the-line faculty from Britain for introducing the latest techniques such as laser construction, plasma building and inert gas welding.

Salwan said that the course would be offered at three levels - certificate, diploma and degree.

"PTU is upgrading the courses and we will soon start new courses like bio technical, bio informatics, medical electronics, medical laboratory and lab technicans," the V-C said, adding that though engineering colleges were mushrooming in the State, competent players were capturing the trust of the students.

He said that the university was still on the lookout for a partner to set up a third SE in biotechnological applications and bio informatics, most likely to come up at Mohali.

"Talks are on with 3 to 4 applicants, but no final decision has been taken as yet," Salwan said.

PT had conferred Lord Paul, who hails from Jalandhar, with an honorary doctorate in February this year (2005).